How to Finance a Fit Body Boot Camp Franchise: Studio Costs
By Chris Cornella
A Fit Body Boot Camp franchise loan usually funds a leased studio, not a big-box gym. The brand runs 30-minute group boot camp sessions that pair workouts with nutrition coaching, so the budget centers on the franchise fee, a modest build-out, flooring and free weights, grand opening marketing and the cash needed to carry the studio while membership grows.
This article covers what the franchisor says it costs to open a Fit Body Boot Camp, the fees that continue after opening, how SBA and conventional loans may fit, what the SBA directory note means, and how lenders review a studio deal. It is general information only. US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Fit Body Boot Camp; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures come from the franchisor’s own materials and disclosure document and can change, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to lender review and approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice.
Fit Body Boot Camp Franchise Loan at a Glance
Based on Fit Body Boot Camp’s own franchise website and FAQs:
- Initial franchise fee: $54,600
- Royalty: 5% per month
- Marketing fee: a flat $500 per month
- Total opening cost: about $170,600 to $296,100, including the franchise fee and build-out
- Franchise agreement term: 7 years, renewable
- System size: the company reports more than 250 gym franchisees
- Multi-unit option: most owners start with one location or a 3-pack, which the franchisor says receives large discounts
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S2958, with a note about real estate collateral and the lease documents
The franchisor does not publish a minimum net worth or liquid capital figure on its franchise pages. Its inquiry form asks candidates to select a range of available investment capital, so expect the franchisor and your lender to judge your finances case by case.
What Is Fit Body Boot Camp?
Fit Body Boot Camp was founded in 2009 by Bedros Keuilian, and the franchise system launched in 2012. The company describes itself as an international personal training franchise that runs group weight-loss boot camps, and says that “80% of it comes down to nutrition,” which is why the program combines fitness and nutrition coaching.
The core product is a 30-minute group session. Owners describe early morning and late evening classes built around busy schedules. Instead of rows of machines, studios rely on padded flooring, free weights and coaching, which keeps the equipment budget lower than many gym concepts.
Who owns them. Each location is individually owned and operated. Franchisee testimonials on the franchise site include owners with several studios.
Why lenders view it the way they do. A Fit Body Boot Camp studio is a lease-based, membership-driven business with modest hard assets. Lenders like recurring membership revenue and a smaller total investment, but they also know that boutique fitness depends on the owner’s ability to sell memberships, keep members and hire good trainers. Underwriting focuses on the owner, the site and a realistic membership ramp-up.
Fit Body Boot Camp Franchise Costs
Fit Body Boot Camp’s FAQ puts the total opening cost at about $170,600 to $296,100. The range includes the initial franchise fee plus build-out costs, which the franchisor says depend on location type, size and requirements. Review the Item 7 table in the current disclosure document for the full line-by-line breakdown.
Initial franchise fee
The franchise site lists a $54,600 franchise fee. The franchisor says the initial buy-in includes a protected territory with a demographic report, on-site training at headquarters and at an established location, help selecting a facility and negotiating a lease, and grand opening marketing support.
Lease, build-out and studio improvements
Owners do not need to own a facility, and the franchisor says most lease. The build-out is the main reason the total range is wide: a second-generation fitness space may need little more than flooring, paint, lighting and branding, while a raw retail space may need restrooms, HVAC work, sound control and a full finish package.
Equipment and furnishings
Boot camp equipment centers on padded flooring, free weights, kettlebells, resistance gear and audio systems rather than large cardio and strength machines. That keeps the package smaller than a traditional gym, but it still needs to be financed or paid for before opening.
Opening costs and working capital
Pre-opening marketing, training travel, insurance, deposits, software and payroll for coaches all come before members walk in. Working capital carries the studio while memberships build, and lenders look closely at how many months of rent, payroll and loan payments you can cover from reserves.
When you build the budget, organize it the way the disclosure document does:
- Initial franchise fee
- Lease deposits and rent before opening
- Leasehold improvements and build-out
- Flooring, free weights and fitness equipment
- Audio, signage and studio décor
- Computer, software and front desk setup
- Grand opening marketing
- Training travel and expenses
- Insurance, licenses and permits
- Additional funds for the opening period
Your total should fall inside the franchisor’s published range for a comparable site, and a lender will check that it does.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
According to the franchise site, owners pay a 5% monthly royalty and a flat $500 monthly marketing fee. Read Item 6 of the current disclosure document for every other recurring charge, such as software, technology, transfer or renewal fees, because those details can change between editions.
Lenders size a Fit Body Boot Camp franchise loan on the cash flow left after operating expenses, and franchise fees come off the top. A 5% royalty rises and falls with revenue, while the flat marketing fee is due whether the studio has a strong month or a slow one. Your projections should include both before you calculate debt service.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
Fit Body Boot Camp does not list a minimum net worth or liquid capital requirement on its franchise pages. The company says it looks for people who are passionate about people and fitness, coachable and growth-minded.
The process starts with an expression of interest form, followed by a phone call; the disclosure document is shared only with people who have expressed interest, through the territory application. Partners are allowed, but if co-owners are listed, the franchisor requires a copy of the partnership agreement.
After signing, the franchisor describes an onboarding period covering the first 6 to 8 months, including site search, lease, build-out, sales, marketing and software training, plus a 4-day on-site experience at headquarters and an established location. The recommended opening window is 180 days after signing the franchise agreement, so your financing timeline should fit inside it.
Ways to Own a Fit Body Boot Camp
Opening a new studio. Most new owners sign for a protected territory, lease a space and build out a studio. Financing covers the fee, build-out, equipment, opening marketing and working capital. Our page on fitness center start-up financing explains how new studios are usually funded.
Buying an existing studio. An owner who wants to sell may transfer the studio, subject to franchisor approval and the transfer terms in the franchise agreement. A resale comes with members, coaches and a performance history a lender can underwrite. See our page on fitness center acquisition financing.
Starting with a 3-pack. The franchisor says many owners start with a 3-pack of territories at a discount. Financing usually covers the first studio, with later studios funded one at a time as the first proves itself.
Financing Options for a Fit Body Boot Camp Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. An SBA 7(a) loan can combine the franchise fee, leasehold improvements, equipment, opening costs and working capital into a single loan. The 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, and program rules can change. A single studio sits well below that limit.
SBA 504 loans. The 504 program is designed for owner-occupied real estate and long-lived fixed assets. Because most owners lease, 504 rarely fits a first studio, but it may fit an owner who buys the building or a larger multi-studio operator.
Conventional term loans. Borrowers with strong credit, liquidity and outside collateral may qualify for conventional business loans. Lenders may ask for more equity because leasehold improvements have limited resale value.
Equipment financing. Flooring, free weights, kettlebells, audio systems and other studio gear can sometimes be financed separately. Our page on gym equipment financing and leasing covers the options, but remember that any separate payment counts against cash flow in your main loan request.
Working capital and lines of credit. Studios often need cash for pre-sale marketing, coach payroll and rent before membership stabilizes, and fitness demand can dip in some seasons. See our page on fitness center working capital.
Seller financing on resales. When buying an existing studio, the seller may carry part of the price. A seller note is typically subordinate to the primary loan, and SBA rules may limit how it is structured.
SBA Loans for Fit Body Boot Camp Franchisees
SBA-backed loans are made by participating lenders, with the SBA guaranteeing part of the loan. For franchises, the lender also confirms that the franchise agreement leaves the borrower in control of the business, and the SBA Franchise Directory simplifies that review. Our article on SBA loans for gyms covers the program in more detail.
The directory listing. Fit Body Boot Camp appears on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S2958. A listing means the franchise documents have been reviewed for eligibility; it does not approve any borrower or guarantee a loan.
What the directory note means. The listing carries this note: when the real estate where the franchise business is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the Lease Rider and Collateral Assignment of Lease may not be executed. In plain English, the franchisor’s lease rider and collateral assignment of lease are documents that give the franchisor rights in the studio’s lease. If you own the building and pledge it as collateral for your SBA loan, those lease documents should not be signed, so they do not conflict with the lender’s position in the real estate. For most owners, who lease, the note does not change the deal, but anyone buying the property should raise it with the lender early.
SBA application tips. Have your franchise agreement, territory report, lease or letter of intent, build-out bids, equipment quotes, personal financial statements, tax returns and résumé ready. Our SBA loan calculator can help with early payment estimates, which are for planning only and do not represent an offer or approval.
How Lenders Evaluate a Fit Body Boot Camp Deal
Personal credit and financial history. A new studio has no operating history, so lenders lean on the owner’s credit, tax returns and existing debts. Significant owners typically sign personal guarantees.
Net worth and liquidity. With no published minimum, lenders decide what equity and reserves make sense for your project. Expect questions about your cash injection and what remains after closing.
Fitness and management experience. The franchisor emphasizes coachability and a passion for fitness. Lenders also value experience managing people, selling memberships or running a business. Owners without that background can strengthen a request with a strong head coach and a detailed sales plan.
Business plan and projections. Lenders want to see membership pre-sales, monthly membership targets, retention assumptions, coach payroll, rent, the 5% royalty and the $500 monthly marketing fee. Projections that assume a full studio on opening day will be discounted.
The disclosure document and franchise agreement. Lenders review the 7-year term, renewal rights, transfer provisions and termination clauses, and they want the loan term to fit inside the franchise term. Our article on how the FDD affects franchise financing explains what lenders read.
Site and lease. Lenders look at the lease term, renewal options, rent, the build-out budget and whether the lease runs long enough to support the loan.
Historical financials on resales. For an existing studio, lenders study membership counts, attrition, revenue trends, tax returns and the lease before approving a purchase.
Studio Equipment and Build-Out
Fit Body Boot Camp’s model is deliberately lighter on equipment than a traditional gym. The franchisor has described its studios as needing plush floors and weights rather than rooms full of machines. For a borrower, that means a smaller equipment package and fewer large replacements later.
Equipment still matters to a lender. Flooring wears, weights need replacing and audio and check-in technology age out, so some owners finance gear separately while others roll it into a single Fit Body Boot Camp franchise loan.
The build-out is usually the bigger variable. Before signing a lease, get contractor bids, ask for a landlord improvement allowance and confirm the space meets local codes for assembly use and restrooms.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
The franchisor says most owners start with one location or a 3-pack of territories. A 3-pack lowers the per-territory cost but creates a commitment to open more studios over time, so make sure your financing plan matches the development schedule in the agreement.
Lenders usually fund the first studio, then look at its membership, cash flow and your remaining liquidity before financing the next. Our article on financing an area development agreement explains how lenders approach development schedules. Clean, separate financial statements for each studio make later requests easier.
Real-World Scenarios
A personal trainer opening a first studio. A trainer with a local following signs a franchise agreement and leases a second-generation fitness space. An SBA 7(a) loan covers the fee, light build-out, equipment and working capital, and the lender gives weight to the trainer’s pre-sale list.
A buyer purchasing an existing studio. A buyer finds an owner ready to sell an established studio. The lender reviews membership data and tax returns, the franchisor approves the transfer, and the seller carries a small subordinate note.
An owner who buys the building. A multi-studio owner buys a small commercial building for the next studio. Because the real estate will secure the SBA loan, the lender follows the directory note and the lease documents are not executed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Signing a lease before getting build-out bids and lender feedback
- Leaving the 5% royalty or the flat marketing fee out of projections
- Assuming the studio fills on opening day
- Committing to a 3-pack without a financing plan for every studio
- Financing equipment separately without counting the payment in the main loan
- Missing the 180-day opening window because financing started late
For more, read the fitness center loan mistakes that cost owners the most.
Next Steps to Finance Your Fit Body Boot Camp Franchise
Step 1: Request the disclosure document. Submit the expression of interest and territory application, then review Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17 and 19 with a franchise attorney.
Step 2: Choose single studio or 3-pack. Decide how many territories you can realistically finance and open.
Step 3: Find a site. Use the franchisor’s site selection support and get contractor bids before signing a lease.
Step 4: Build your Fit Body Boot Camp franchise loan budget. Include the fee, build-out, equipment, opening marketing, training travel and several months of working capital.
Step 5: Talk with a financing specialist. Confirm which loan structure fits and how much equity you will likely need.
Step 6: Assemble your documents. Gather financial statements, tax returns, a résumé, the franchise agreement, lease terms, bids and your business plan.
Step 7: Close and open on schedule. Line up loan closing, build-out and pre-sales so the studio opens inside the recommended window.
Fit Body Boot Camp Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does it cost to open a Fit Body Boot Camp?
The franchisor’s FAQ puts the total opening cost at about $170,600 to $296,100, including the franchise fee and build-out costs that vary with the location.
What is the Fit Body Boot Camp franchise fee?
The franchise site lists a $54,600 initial franchise fee.
What royalty does Fit Body Boot Camp charge?
The franchise site lists a 5% monthly royalty and a flat $500 monthly marketing fee. Check Item 6 of the current disclosure document for all ongoing fees.
How much net worth or liquid capital do I need?
The franchisor does not publish a minimum on its franchise pages. Your lender will set equity and reserve expectations based on your full budget.
Can I use an SBA loan for a Fit Body Boot Camp?
Possibly. Fit Body Boot Camp is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S2958. Eligibility still depends on you, the project, program rules and lender approval.
Can I buy an existing Fit Body Boot Camp?
Yes, subject to franchisor approval and the transfer terms in the franchise agreement. Lenders underwrite a resale from its membership and financial history.
Do I need fitness experience?
The franchisor looks for passion for fitness, coachability and a growth mindset. Lenders also value management and sales experience.
Does Fit Body Boot Camp offer financing?
The FAQ says financing options exist and refers candidates to a franchise advisor. Check Item 10 of the disclosure document for any franchisor financing.
How long is the franchise agreement?
The franchisor’s FAQ says the franchise agreement lasts 7 years and is renewable.
Can I open more than one studio?
Yes. The franchisor says many owners start with a 3-pack, and lenders typically finance additional studios after the first shows results.
Final Thoughts
A Fit Body Boot Camp franchise loan is smaller than most gym financing because the studio runs on coaching, flooring and free weights rather than machines. Lenders still need a realistic membership ramp-up, a well-negotiated lease and enough cash to cover the opening months. Owners who budget every fee and line up financing early give themselves the best chance of opening on time.
US Professional Funding helps buyers and owners finance fitness franchises, including new studios, resales, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and fitness center financing.
